Where to find your hotspot password depends on your device type
Your hotspot password lives in your phone's settings, not in a separate app or email. The exact path changes depending on whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, or a computer with hotspot capability. Once you know where to look, you can find it in under a minute — and you can change it anytime without calling your carrier.
The password you set is what other devices need to connect to your hotspot. If you never set one, your phone created a default password automatically. Either way, the password is stored locally on your device and nowhere else, so you have to check the device itself.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone, open Settings, tap Personal Hotspot, and look for the Wi-Fi password field — it appears only when Personal Hotspot is turned on.
- On Android, go to Settings, find Hotspot or Tethering, tap the hotspot name, and select Show Password or View Password depending on your phone's version.
- If you forgot your password, you can create a new one in the same settings menu without losing any other data on your phone.
- Your hotspot password is separate from your phone's lock screen password and your carrier account password.
- Once you change your hotspot password, any devices currently connected will drop and need the new password to reconnect.
Finding your password on an iPhone
Open the Settings app and scroll down to find Personal Hotspot. Tap it. If Personal Hotspot is turned off, turn it on first — the Wi-Fi password field only appears when the hotspot is active. Once it is on, you will see a field labeled Wi-Fi Password with a string of characters underneath. That is your hotspot password.
If you do not see Personal Hotspot in your Settings menu, your carrier may not support it on your plan, or you may need to update your iOS version. Check your carrier's website or contact them to confirm hotspot is included in your plan.
To change your password, tap the Wi-Fi Password field, delete the current password, type a new one, and tap Done. Your new password takes effect when ready. Any devices connected to your hotspot will be disconnected and will need to enter the new password to reconnect.
Finding your password on Android
Open Settings and look for Hotspot, Tethering, or Mobile Hotspot — the exact name varies by phone manufacturer and Android version. Tap it. You should see your hotspot name (also called SSID) and a password field below it. On some phones, the password is hidden by default. Tap Show Password, View Password, or a similar option to reveal it.
If the password field is blank or missing, your hotspot may be turned off. Turn it on first, then return to the same menu. If you still do not see a password field after turning hotspot on, your phone may use a randomly generated password that changes each time you turn the hotspot on and off — check your phone's documentation or your carrier's support site.
To change your password on Android, tap the password field or look for an Edit or Manage option. Delete the old password, type a new one, and save. The change takes effect right away, and any connected devices will need to reconnect with the new password.
What to do if you cannot find the password field
If you have turned on your hotspot but still do not see a password field, your phone may be set to use an open network with no password. This is rare on newer phones but possible on older Android devices. Check your hotspot settings for an option like Security or Authentication Type and make sure it is not set to Open. Change it to WPA2 or WPA3 if available, and a password field should appear.
Another possibility is that your phone's hotspot feature is not fully supported by your carrier or plan. Contact your carrier to confirm that hotspot is included and active on your account. They can also tell you whether your phone model supports password-protected hotspots.
Changing your password without losing other data
Changing your hotspot password does not affect anything else on your phone — not your lock screen password, your carrier account, your stored Wi-Fi networks, or any apps. It only changes what other devices need to type in to connect to your hotspot. You can change it as often as you want.
After you change the password, devices that were already connected will stay connected until they disconnect or go out of range. Once they disconnect, they will need the new password to reconnect. You do not need to restart your phone or turn hotspot off and back on.
Resetting your password if you forgot it
If you do not remember your current hotspot password, you can create a new one in the same settings menu where you found the old one. On iPhone, tap the Wi-Fi Password field and type a new password. On Android, tap the password field or the Edit option and type a new one. Save the change, and that becomes your new password when ready.
You do not need to contact your carrier or reset your phone to change your hotspot password. The password is stored only on your device, so you control it completely. If you want to go back to a random password that changes each time you turn hotspot on, some Android phones offer that option in their hotspot settings — check your phone's documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my hotspot password the same as my phone's lock screen password?
No. Your hotspot password is separate and only controls who can connect to your hotspot. Your lock screen password protects your phone itself. You can change one without affecting the other.
Can I see my hotspot password if someone else set it up on my phone?
Yes. Go to your hotspot settings the same way you would to change it. The password field will show the current password (you may need to tap Show Password on Android). You can then change it to something you choose.
What happens to devices connected to my hotspot if I change the password?
They will stay connected until they disconnect or lose signal. Once they disconnect, they will need to enter the new password to reconnect. They will not automatically reconnect with the old password.
Can my carrier see my hotspot password?
No. Your hotspot password is stored only on your device. Your carrier can see that you are using hotspot and how much data you are using, but they cannot see the password itself.
Why does my Android phone show a different password every time I turn hotspot on?
Some Android phones are set to generate a random password automatically each time you enable hotspot. Check your hotspot settings for an option to use a fixed password instead. If you want the same password every time, turn off the random generation option.